Twin-fuselage construction.



e. H. C URTISS. TWIN FUSELAGE CONSTRUCTION.

I APPLICATION FILED OCT-18.1915. 1,294,412,

Patented Feb. 18,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOP. GLENN flCulaTlss ATTOIZN EY G. H. CURTISS.

TWIN FUSELAGE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED OCT I8. I9I5- Pategted Feb. 18, 1919.

. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 mmmtoz 6LENN H .CUIQTISS.

murnn snares Parana oration.

GLENN H. CURTISS, 0F BUFFALO, YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GUR'IISS AEROPLANE AND MQTOE COBIPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TWIN-FUSELAGE CONSTRUCTION.

To all whom may concern:

citizenof the United States, residing at Bub falo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Twin-Fuselage Construction, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying machines of the heavier-than-air type, and more particularly relates to a' double fuselage construction especially adapted for military aeroplanes.

With the ordinary provision of' but a single fuselage in which are arranged both the seats of the pilot and observer, together with the driving mechanism and the guiding controls of the machine, a singlefortunate shot by the enemy is sufficient to destroy the machine by disabling the pilot. 5

With the provision of an aeroplane having a double fuselage, on the other hand, seats for a pair of pilots, and also for a pair of observers, may be readily arranged to separate each pilot and observer from the occupants of the other fuselage, thus lessening the danger of destruction by half. Obstacles, however, as to the operationof the propelling mechanism of the machine and as to the flight control means must be overcome by arrangements which will obviate the possibility of destruction of the machine upon either of the pilots becoming disabled.

To this end, the-present invention involves an aeroplane construction based upon the use of spaced fuselages which has for its principal object the provision of separate propelling mechanisms for each fuselage; the

arrangement of seats for a'pilotand an observer within each fuselage, from either of which seats the propelling mechanism attached to both fuselages may be controlled; and the provision of common means extending between the pilots seats of the separated fuselages for the control of at least'one of the rear guiding surfaces with which the ma-.

chine is equipped in a novel manner.

The above, and additional objects of a I Specification of Letters Patent.

lPatented Feb. 18, 1919.

Application flledootober 18, 1915. Serial No. 56,602.

similar nature which will be hereinafter more specifically treated, are accomplished by'such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, described in the following specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the claims which'are appended, hereto and form a part of this application. 1

With reference to the drawings wherein there is illustrated one of the preferred embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a twin fuselage aeroplane as viewed from the rear during flight;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the craft illustrating diagrammatically the motor throttle control system, and

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating in top plan said system.

In its general aspects the aeroplane shown as equipped with the twin fuselage'of this invention is of the tractor biplane type, al-

-- though it will be obvious that no restrictions shou d be inferred to discountenance the employment of the double fuselage hereby disclosed with aeroplanes having any type of supporting surface or any type of propelling engine section, which may be suitably stayed between both fuselages as is denoted by the numeral 5. The lower engine wing panel 6 is connected directly to each fuselage and eX- tends ,therebetween. This construction per mits the remainder of the mainsupporting surfaces, including the upper lateral wings 7 and the lower wings 8 to be respectively hinged, as is denoted at 9, to the upper'wing panel and directly to separate fuselages.

' tle control leads '12 are trained. The control leads extend forwardly from the shaft 10 to pulleys 13' mounted respectively upon the shafts 14 of the carbureters for the separate motors. Through this arrangement the separate motors may be simultaneously throttled or controlled. 3 An observers pit 12 is arranged forwardly in each fuselage, being surrounded by the usual pit cowl 13 to protect the occupant. Immediately behind the observers station in each fuselage-is arranged accommodation for a pilot, this pit 14 containing the guiding controls of the machine, as well as. of both engines, although these latter controls may, as has been proposed, be shared with the observers pit.

- Commonly supported upon the each of the fuselages 1 and 2 is the laterally overhanging, substantially horizontal stabilizing plane 15, to the rear edge-of which is hinged a plurality ofelevating surfaces 16,

20. These wheels control steering cables 23 such surfaces being arranged between the fuselages and laterally therebeyond and having their lateral edges so disposed, or cut away as shown at 17,"as to permit lateral movement of rudders 18 which are vertically pivoted to the tail post of each separate fuselage. Vertical stabilizing fins 19 are also separately carried by the fuselages to overlie the'common horizontal stabilizer.

Control of theguiding or directional control surfaces 16 of the craft is effected by the provision of a rockshaft 20 which conneots the fuselages and extends into each pilots pit 14, being arranged for oscillation longitudinally of the machine. At its extremities control columns 21 are erected to carry the rotatable control wheels 22,

which are also oscillatable with the shaft which extend rearwardly from each fuse-1 lage to the laterally projecting rudder braces 24: whereby movement of the rudder surfaces may be independently accomplished. Oscillation of the rockshaft 20, however, simulta neously moves the elevators 16 through the medium of shaft arm 25 and cables 26 which connect such arms with the'elevator braces 27. Although each rudder is disclosed as separately operated and of suficient area to In Figs. 2 and 3 I have illustrated diatail of appropriate means may be provided where- I by simultaneous movement of the rudders, like theelevators, can be effected.

While the machine here shown is of the land alighting type, and as such is equipped with running gear 28 common to both fuse.- lages, it will be apparent that an adaptation of; this, invention in aeroplane fuselages could readily be made for use in connection with hydroaeroplan'es or other aerial craft, by consultation with the above disclosures. The form of landing gear illustrated comprises single set of running wheels which are spaced widely apart on a common axle and braced to thevwing beams 29, shown in dotted lines. Insurance of great stability is thus given the machine in operating on the ground' Z An aeroplane constructed in accordance withthe foregoing is well fitted for military uses, particularly those of the reconnaissance. The provision of thespaced fuselages with the consequent distribution of the increased crew renders the machine much less liable to destruction. Where but a single observer and aviator form a maaviator for the reason that he (the remaining aviator) is able to operate both motors and one or both of the directional control surfaces without aid or adjustment. This multiplied factor of safety and the revent the destruction Even the placingof' theentire assurance that such valuable information as has been gathered inthe reconnaissance has a doubled protection until received at head quarters is one incalculable advantage possessed by the flying machineprovided by this invention over former types in the art.

An additional advantage is that more reliable and accurate data may be attained by the employment of two observers working in unison for the comparatively short duration of the flight which forces a single observer to depend upon his memory for details hehas no time to record in view of the more important facts; In event of the death of the single observer, much of his information perishes with him, a disaster having slight chance of occurrence with use of the fuselage arrangement contemplated by this invention.

Realizing, however, that conditions concurrent with the adoption of this invention may later be varied to a considerable extent, it is desired to emphasize the fact that corresponding alterations in the reduction of the invention to practice may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the claims defining the scope of this machine.

What is claimed is:

supporting surfaces vcarried conjointly by the fuselages, a motor mounted in each fuselage and a propeller for each motor.

2. In a flying-machine, spaced fuselages,

a motor for each fuselage, supporting surfaces c'onjointly carried by the fuselage and a seat in each fuselage. Y

3. In a flying'machine, spaced fuselages, supporting surfaces conjointly carried by the fuselages, control surfaces arranged on the tails of the fuselages and a pilots seat in each fuselage.

4;. In a flying machine, spaced fuselages,

, supporting surfaces conjointly carried by the fuselages, control surfaces arranged on the tails of the fuselages and an observers seat in each fuselage.

5. Ina flying machine, spaced fuselages, supporting surfaces conjointly carried by the fuselages, control surfaces arranged on the tails of the fuselages and seating arrangements for the crew of the machine designed to apportion a pilot and. an observer to each fuselage.

6. In a flying machine, spaced fuselages,

supporting surfaces con ointly carried by the fuselages, driving mechanisms mounted within the separate fuselages, and means operable from either fuselage for controlling either or both of saidmechanisms.

7. In a flyingmachine, spaced fuselages, supporting surfaces conjointly carried by the fuselages, an' engine mounted within each fuselage, and propellers, for the machine directly connected to respective engines.

8. In a flying machine, aerially supported twin fuselages, a motor for each fuselage, controlsurfaces for the fuselages and means to operate said surfaces and both motors from either fuselage.

.9. In a flying machine, aerially' supported twin fuselages, a motor for each fuselage, a pilots seat for each fuselage, control surfaces for both fuselages separately and in common, and means to control the entire machine and its parts from either of said pilots seats.

10. In a flying machine, a plurality of common extending between'the fuselages and connected to said elevators for similar operation of the latter from any one fusela e. I 11. In a flying machine, a plurality of fuselages, main supporting surfaces conjointly carried by the fuselages, a stabiliz ing plane supported on all of the fuselages,

q a rock-shaft connected to the fuselages, mov- 1. In a flylng machlne, twin fuselages,

able guiding means supported upon said stabilizing plane, and control means mounted in each fuselage and connected to said rock-shaft forsimultaneous actuation of said guidin means.

12. n a flying machine, an engine section including spaced fuselages, upper and lower engine section panels, supporting surfaces hinged to said upper engine section panel, and additionalsupporting surfaces hinged directly to each fuselage.

13. In a flying machine, anengine section including separate fuselage's, an engine panel wing post forming a part of each fuselage, a wing panel commonly erected upon the posts of all the fuselages, a lower wing panel connecting adjacent fuselages, and upper and lower supporting surfaces for the machine respectively hinged to said upper wing panel and said fuselages.

14. In a flying machine, a pair ofseparated fuselages, supporting surfaces conjointly carried by thefuselages, a separate steering surface for each fuselage, elevating surfaces in common with both fuselages, apilots seat in each fuselage, and control means mounted within each fuselage and connected for the similar and simultaneous actuation of one ofsaid surfaces from the pilots seat of each fuselage.

15. In a flying machine, a plurality of fuselages, main supporting surfaces conjointly carried by the fuselages, movable guiding surfaces for the machine, a rockshaft common to all the fuselages, a control column mounted in each fuselage for connection to said shaft, and a wheel mounted for rotation upon each column and for oscillation with said shaft, said wheel and said shaft being connected to respective guiding surfaces whereby the latter may be identically actuated from any or all of the fuselages'. r

16.In a flying machine, connected fuselages, supporting surfaces, an engine in each fuselage and a'seat in each fuselage.

17. In a flying machine, separate fuselages, a motor for each fuselage and means operable for either or both fuselages to control both motors.

6 mergers 18. En a flying machine, separate fusel; fuselage, a tractor propeller for each motor,

ages, separate control surfaces arranged recontrol. surfaces, means for operating the 10 spectively at opposite sides of the fore and control surfaces from either fuselage, and

aft axis of the craft, and means operable means for controlling both motors from from either or both fuselages to control said either fuselage.

surfaces. v ln testimony whereof I affix my signature.

19. In a flying machine, separate iuselages, a motor mounted forwardly in each GLENN H. CURTISS. 

